Physics 12-22

Vernier Calipers and

Micrometer
Measurement
August 25, 2006
Name ____________________________ Period ________ Mr. Jackson

Date Assigned Date Due Date Collected Days Late

Precision Length Measurement Exercise

Measuring with a Metric Scale: Ruler or Meter Stick

Measuring Tasks: The scales are not to scale!!!

1. Location of arrow on the scale.
1. _________________________

2. Location of arrow
2. __________________________

3. Length of double arrow

3. left edge____________________

right edge __________________

length __________________

4. Diameter of larger circular object

4. left edge____________________

right edge __________________

diameter __________________

left edge____________________

right edge __________________

Estimated Smallest fraction of a unit
when using a metric scale: diameter __________________
Measuring with a Metric Scale: Vernier Caliper Using a Vernier
Scale
Read this mark
as 3.0 cm

Read this
mark as
4.0 cm

Marker A

Marker 7.8
Vernier Caliper Length Measurement: The sum of three numbers, L = A + B ± C
For B, C
Two scales to read:
1. fixed metric scale (cm)
2. sliding Vernier scale with ten markers numbered 0 to 9.

Component Description Example

Position of the Vernier scale’s zero marker on the If marker 0 is between
fixed scale 3.2 and 3.3 cm then…
A
A = 3.2 cm
The number of the Vernier scale marker (B = 0 to If marker 4 lines up the
9 hundredths cm) that lines up best with a fixed best, then…
B scale marker above it. B = .07 cm
In the judgment of the observer: In the best judgment of
If the B marker lines up perfectly with the marker the observer the B
C above or below it, then C = 0 cm marker is slightly behind
the marker above it.
If the B marker is slightly past the marker above or Therefore
below it, then C = +.005 cm
C = +.005 cm
If the B marker falls slightly behind the above (or
below) marker then C = -.005
In the above example we
Completed L=A+B± C have L = 3.2 + .07 + .
Measurement 005

L = 3.275 cm

Vernier caliper readings are precise to ± .005 cm = .00005 m.

Every reading ends wit a zero or five digit in the thousandths decimal place on the
centimeter scale.
In the table below give the readings of A, B, C, and L for the practice
diagrams below.
Vernier Caliper Practice Readings
A
B
C
L
A
B
C
L
A
B
C
L
 Measuring with a Micrometer
The bevel is
The barrel is
scaled from 0 - .
scaled in ¼mm
25mm.
(0.25mm)
1 rotation moves
increments.
the screw .25
4 complete
mm along the
rotations of the
barrel.
bevel moves
the screw 1
mm along the
barrel.

Fixed scale: Shaft (barrel) incremented in steps of 0.5 mm

Rotating bevel (screw). 1 turn = .5 mm incremented in .01 mm steps.
Component Description Example
If marker 0 is between
The edge of the bevel as if falls on the fixed scale. 3.5 and 4.0 mm then…
A
A = 3.5 mm
The fixed scale on the shaft defines a reference If the fixed scale lines up
B (zero point marker) for reading the position of the between 33 and 34 on
rotating shaft. thee bevel scale, and
the observer judges it to
Rotating bevel screw 0 to .5 mm in .01 mm be at .7 units between
gradations with the ability to estimate .001 mm marks, then…
between marks. [0 to 500 µm (micrometers), B = .337 mm
hence the name micrometer.]
In the above example we
Complete have L = 3.5 + .337
Measurement L=A+B
L = 3.837 mm

Final Reading
Micrometer Practice Readings
A